Welp, we have a handful of games to see what can be done. We are sitting at 6-1 and could potentially run the table.
If we see our defense play to their potential like in the 4th quarter vs NC State only allowing 6 yards, then we have promise.
Guys like James Williams can be the difference makers in years to come.
Also.... What would this defense be like with Rousseau playing????
While you are clearly and greatly exaggerating when you imply that holding NCST to 6 yards in one quarter is our defense playing to their potential, I otherwise agree with the general idea/s you are trying to communicate here. Obviously, holding an opponent to 6 yards per quarter is an insane and impossible standard to hold our or any other defense to. Having said that I know and concur with what you are trying to say. That is that this defense, despite the holes that it has can and should be playing at a considerably higher level. It is also reasonable to theorize that if Diaz took over calling the defense that it would have a significant impact on their performance. This together with our offense that is beginning to come into it's own could very well put us in position to win out and finish the regular season 10-1.
I also think it's fair to say that an infusion of elite level talent into the defense and a much better DC and defensive staff would greatly improve the product on the field. An injection of speed, explosivness and athleticism in the back 7 could transform this into a very good to elite defense. Some of the pieces are already with the team but are taking this year to learn, add strength and contribute on special teams and/or the scout team. While others have seen the field on defense in very limited roles. Avantae Williams, Tirek Austin Cave, Avery Huff, Jalen Harrell, Brian Balom, Chanz Williams, Elijah Roberts, Marcus Clarke, and Isaiah Dunson are part of that future to go along with the kids expected to be in the 2021 class. Chase Smith, Karmen Kinchens, James Williams, Tim Burns, Deshawn Troutman, Leonard Taylor, Tyler Johnson and Thomas Davis among other commits and targets will certainly bring a huge dose of the attributes I mentioned above.
However it is absolutely imperative for the defense to have a DC who understands how to best utilize all of that talent and how to put them in a system that is properly tailored to their abilities. Blake Baker has proven that he is not that DC.
@Liberty City El in his NCST game recap post brilliantly articulated why Baker is not the DC that we need. Baker is learning on the job but the DC position on the UM coaching staff is most definitely not the place for on the job training. Manny made a huge mistake hiring Baker in the first place and I do believe that this is becoming more and more clear to Diaz with every game we play. Baker is constantly being out coached by even the most pedestrian of offensive coordinators. His defenses always seem I'll prepared to face whatever opponent they play. His game plans are not game plans as he basically throws the same super soft zone at every offense he faces no matter how bad they are. He has demonstrated time and again that he has little idea of how to best utilize the talent as his disposal. Baker does not seem to adjust to the glaring weaknesses his defense exhibits every single week. His defenses are unprepared, undisciplined and sloppy as well as showing absolutely zero attention to detail. He has shown a disturbing inability to take away the opposing offenses strength and his players often seem disorganized and confused. Add to that our defense is routinely beat before the snap due to inexplicably poor alignments making it easy for offenses to simply out leverage us. He is a terrible defensive coordinator at least at this level.
For those who refuse to blame Baker for this defenses long stretches of ineptitude and say that this is Manny's defense you are right, technically speaking. While the defense as a whole in terms of general philosophy and all of the individual plays and concepts contained therein does come from coach Diaz, the manner in which it is being run comes from Baker. Realize that different coaches can take the same system and apply it in very different ways and in different contexts/situations. It is obvious to most that Baker emphasizes the passive zone concepts to a much larger degree than Diaz ever did here. His defense is much more passive and conservative as it is quite clear that Baker's calls are greatly motivated and influenced by fear. Baker is terrified of allowing the "Big Play.". Baker's philosophy is such that he will call a defense on 3rd and 11 that literally allows the opposing offense to easily get the first down in exchange for the comfort it gives him that at least they won't hit a big scoring play and that the offense will have to keep executing their plays. Basically Baker doesn't feel comfortable pressing his talent advantage and calling his defense in a way that aggressively tries to force mistakes even against weak offenses. Baker would rather just sit back and wait for the offense to make a mistake. When I mention being aggressive and trying to force mistakes I am referring to the secondary. Baker will play recklessly upfront while simultaneously playing very soft nearly prevent zone behind it. The problem with this is that Baker ends up giving too much respect to offenses that are poor, have little firepower or the ability to hurt us downfield. In doing so he allows offenses to stay on the field for much longer than they would have if we were to have our defense aggressively challenge them. This in turn both keeps our offense off the field and our defense on it thereby wearing the defense down unnecessarily.
Diaz made mistakes with both of his coordinator hires when he became head coach. He very astutely rectified the situation at OC by firing Dan Enos after 1 year and sending 2 of his position coaches packing with him. Hiring Lashlee along with Justice and Likens was a homerun. It should be obvious to Diaz by know that Blake Baker is just not cut out to be the defensive coordinator at UM. The proof of that is glaringly self evident. Diaz needs to step up and make the tough yet necessary decision to Fire his friend Blake Baker as well as a few defensive position coaches. If Diaz can do that then proceed to fill the DC and position coach spots on the staff with coaches at the level of what he brought in with Lashlee, Justice and Likens then Manny could be well on his way to building something truly special.